Semi-automated offside technology to be used in FA Cup fifth round ties ahead of Premier League introduction | OneFootball

Semi-automated offside technology will be used for the first time in English domestic football in the FA Cup fifth round.

The technology will be in use at all seven of the ties taking place at Premier League stadiums: Aston Villa v Cardiff City, Crystal Palace v Milwall, Manchester United v Fulham, Newcastle United v Brighton, Bournemouth v Wolves, Manchester City v Plymouth Argyle and Nottingham Forest v Ipswich Town.

“Semi-Automated Offside Technology will provide more efficient placement of the virtual offside line, based on optical player tracking, and produce virtual graphics to ensure an enhanced in-stadium and broadcast experience for supporters,” the FA, Premier League and PGMOL said in a joint statement.

“The operation of Semi-Automated Offside Technology does not change the accuracy of the decision making but enhances the speed and efficiency of the process.”

The statement adds that following testing in the FA Cup, the plan is to introduce the technology into the Premier League later this season.

The technology has been in use in the Champions League and international tournaments previously and has been tested over the past two seasons ahead of being introduced into the English game.

VAR will also be active across all eight ties in the fifth round of the competition including Preston v Burnley too.

It was not in use in the previous round, which had plenty of controversial decisions.

The fifth round will also include in-stadium VAR announcements by the referee to clarify the decisions that have been made to the supporters in the stadium.

It was used for the first time in England during the Carabao Cup semi-finals between Arsenal and Newcastle, and Liverpool and Tottenham.

The fifth round ties will take place over the weekend of March 1 and March 2, with exact timings for the ties yet to be confirmed.